Pre-season notes: Primer season 25-26

Look, I’m always honest with you guys, especially when it comes to your mom… I’m not sure what to call this post. Is it a kind of buy/sell? Sure, some of it. How about a mix of some news and notes, popular recordings, some rankings and you guessed it, a lot of references (stylish ones) to your mother. So you can see that it’s going to be a little bit of everything, so we’ll use the power of Advanced Nomenclature (totally a thing) and call this content a “Primer”. Not to be confused with prime rib streak because I’m hungry, no, I’m here to give you my random basketball thoughts before the season starts. Just basketball thoughts, otherwise it would be like the GOT books, except less violence, weird age gaps and the dragons would most likely have lasers. And come from the future. Wearing tight black leather while rocking with Daft Punk. Basketball thoughts…

Anyway, here are all my random thoughts heading into the season, PRIMER CONTENT, BRO.

Since Kevin Durant‘S signature It just happened, I guess you can say it’s a deal without it being so so much of a deal, right? Sure, two years and 90 million seems like a lot for a 37-year-old who has had more than a few bad lucks, but it’s certainly not prohibitive in the scheme of things, and the fit is just too good with this team. It will be interesting to see how the Rockets adjust to the loss of VanVleet, but another step forward for Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun could offset that. A proof of life from Reed Sheppard would be nice too.

Speaking of rankings, here’s a last-minute look!

Besides, is everyone looking at their exemption threads yet and considering changes, or am I just projecting my existential fantasy despair? Misery loves company, so if you’re already planning some wholesale changes to draft(s) that didn’t quite meet your needs, here are some potentially available players I’m lusting after.

• VJ Edgecombe – I’m actually surprised to see Edgecombe fall below the 40% ownership threshold, and while he’s a must in deeper leagues, I love the athleticism and energy he brings. The team will provide plenty of opportunities for minutes and I think with the Sixers having an already interesting backcourt, there isn’t much pressure here either. Sooner or later he’ll get his, and the talent is there to catch on.
• Dario Saric – Let’s be clear: Saric really shouldn’t be on anyone’s radar, especially since he looked so sick last year that the Nuggets paid him $10 million to sit on the bench. The kings saw that and said: we love it, we want it! And with Domantas Sabonis dealing with a hamstring injury for at least the first few weeks, it looks like Saric will play real minutes. He’s gone 10/3 with a pair of threes averaged in the preseason, so just adjust your expectations and enjoy tolerate the ride.
• Mitchell Robinson – I’ve been on the MRob bandwagon for a while now and I’m surprised we still can’t get to the full carpool lane. GET IT! Regardless, it’s absolutely no secret that Mike Brown plans to shift KAT as the primary anchor on defense to a more stretch-four role, something similar to how the Timberwolves planned with Rudy Gobert. Even though the two-big trend is back, I’m still a fan of Josh Hart (who would suffer the most) and even with the hand injury another 13/10/6 is likely at the very least.
• Davion Mitchell – With Tyler Herro out for an extended period of time, combined with the Heat’s tendency to find diamonds in the rough almost every season, Mitchell could remain fantasy relevant even after Herro’s return. After coming over from the Raptors, he put up a 10/3/5 in 30 minutes, I expect a little more this season.

With Week 1 approaching, the opening schedule, like every previous year, will feature some quirks with an early double-header opener next Tuesday.

Early projections show Houston, New Orleans and Utah will have the most limited opening week, playing just two games. Add the Sixers to this mix, but that could be a positive Joel Embid‘s debut in 2025-2026. The Celtics also have a back-to-back this week.

Wednesday and Friday each have 12 games and the teams playing three games in week one are the Celtics, Cavs, Mavs, Pistons, Clippers and Knicks.

Some quick facts about injuries…

Keegan Murray won’t be back until November due to a thumb injury. Domantas Sabonis is struggling with a hamstring injury as mentioned above, but will be re-evaluated in a week.

Mark Williams is still questionable, but has stepped it up in preseason.

Jaren Jackson Jr. made his preseason debut this weekend and looked good, but Ja Morant (ankle) looks unavailable for the opener as of now.